Loving Persephone

Chapter 1: The Gathering

Friends, house and social media define how I spent most of my everyday - an everyday I have grown familiar with, except today.

Today, it's quite different. It's one of those days when I don't have a choice to pick.

With a heavy heart, I darted a meaningful gaze at my mother who was currently shuffling through my hanged clothes in my wardrobe.

"Mom," I crooned. "Is it okay if I don't come with you? Bibisitahin ko nalang po si Ari--"

"Persephone, are you hearing yourself?" she huffed as she turned around and raised an eyebrow at me. "You want to ditch your family for your friend? Hindi naman kita pinagbabawalang dalawin ang kaibigan mo kaya bakit gusto mo pang makipagsabayan sa event ng pamilya natin?"

Naitikom ko ang bibig ko kasabay nang pag-abot niya sa akin ng damit.

"Know your priorities. Magbihis ka na. Wear this creamy-colored dress. I'll be waiting for you downstairs."

The finality in her voice was unnerving. Napanguso nalang ako at bigong tinanaw ang papaalis niyang pigura.

I was never a fan of grand parties and celebrations but I don't despise it, either. It's just simply not my cup of tea. Kahit pa sabihin nating pampamilya ito, saulo ko na ang kadalasang nangyayari.

It's always awkward around them - the silent and subtle type of awkwardness. I'm like a lone apple trapped in a crate of oranges. I always find it hard to blend in. It's not easy for me, especially when I cannot relate to things.

It's different when I'm with my friends. They are a lot easier.

Pagkapasok ko sa yard, sinalubong ako ng iba't ibang mukha ng mga tao. May iilan na pamilyar at may iilan na ngayon ko pa lang nakikita. Mayroong nagtatapon sa akin ng tingin at mayroon ding dumadaan lang. Binabati sila ni mommy samantalang dumiretso naman ako sa kinaroroonan ng grannies ko.

I greeted my grannies as soon as I met them but Grandma was too old to stay for long. Kaagad ding siyang umalis para makapagpahinga. Grandpa stayed in order to help entertain the other visitors. At dahil abala sila sa kaniya-kaniyang ginagawa, pakiramdam ko naiwan ako roong mag-isa kahit puno naman ng tao sa paligid ko.

"Persephone, mauna ka nang kumain. I'll help entertaining the guests," untag ni Mommy sa'kin sabay turo sa bakanteng lamesa na malapit sa swimming pool.

Tumango ako at sinunod ang sinabi niya. I was relieved to see no one's occupying the table she suggested so I immediately sauntered towards it and satisfied myself with food.

The cold air accompanied me as I was eating. Ako lang mag-isa kaya hindi ko mapigilang mapatingin sa paligid habang sumusubo. Marami akong napansin sa kaonting minutong lumipas. The chatterings and the movements of people, I've noticed them. Even the man stepping on his way towards my table, I've spotted him. That's the best thing about being alone, no one will demand for your attention. You will be able to observe almost everything your eyes can reach without disruptions...unless someone interrupts.

"Hi," the guy greeted as soon as he came nearer. Tan, spiky haired with an average height, iyan ang unang napansin ko sa kanya. He's probably my age, the son of a certain family friend perhaps.

"Alone?" he chirped as he sat across me. That's one stupid way of starting a conversation--stating the obvious.

"I'm Irwin. What's your name?"

May kung ano sa ngiti niya na nagbigay ng ideya sa akin kung bakit niya ako nilapitan and I didn't like it.

Truth is despite my initial wonderings about love, I still feel uncomfortable when I sense someone blatantly trying to hit on me. I mean, if guys want to talk, then they should at least avoid looking at me like i'm a target. It makes me feel uneasy.